Rail-clamp.



PATENTED JULY 23, 1907. DWARDS.

J. G. GANTLEBERRY & W. J. B

RAIL CLAMP. 7 APPLICATION IILED DEO.26,1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL-CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1907.

Application filed December 26, 1906. Serial No. 349,562-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN G. OANTLEBERRY and WILLIAM J. EDWARDS, citizens of the United States, residing at Edenburg, in the county of Lawrence and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

The object of our invention is to provide an improved construction of rail clamp, particularly designed for use at the higher side of a track at the curve thereof, and adapted to engage particularly the inner base flange of the rail at such points in the track so that when the wheels bind on the ball of the rail, the rail will be securely held from turning over.

With this and other objects in view as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions and arrangements of the parts of our improved rail clamp, hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of our improved rail clamp. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the tie. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the tie. Fig. 4 is a top plan view.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the rail and 2 the tie.

3 and 4 designate two side clamping plates of our invention, which are adapted to embrace the tie between them, as shown, and be secured thereto by spikes. These side clamping plates 3 and 4 are provided with inwardly extending hooked flanges 5 and 6, respec tively, said flanges extending down around the lower surface of the tie and binding tightly against the same. In the present instance, it will be seen that the hooked flange 5 extends throughout the length of the clamping plate of which it forms a part, while the flange 6 is shorter.

The two clamping plates 3 and 4 are provided in their upper edges with recesses 7 that are designed to accommodate the base flange of the rail, as shown, and the said plates are also formed with alined cars 8, each of which is provided with an extension 9 extending over the inner base flange of the rail, as clearly illustrated in the drawing.

10 designates a bolt which extends from ear to ear and securely holds the two clamping plates together, and 11 designates a key-plate which is adapted to be inserted underneath the said bolt with one end extending over the inner base flange of the rail and bearing tightly upon said flange. The proportion of the partsis preferably such that the key plate will frictionally bind against the bolt when said plate is driven inwardly over the base flange of the rail. In addition to the locking effect that this would produce, we provide a positive lock in the form of a key 12 which is provided with an upper hooked end 12 and which'is adapted to be inserted through an aperture in the key plate 11 and driven into the tie until its upper hooked end comes down firmly around the bolt. If desired, one or more spikes may be driven into the tie at the rear of the key plate to assist in holding the same in place.

In the practical operation of our improved rail clamp, the two side clamping plates 3 and 4 are placed on opposite sides of the tie in the position shown, with the base flange of the rail resting in their recesses 7 and with their ear extensions 9 taking over the inner sides of the base flange, as shown, and the bolt 10 is then screwed up tightly. The key plate 11 is then driven underneath the bolt and locked in place by the key 12, as Well as by one or more spikes, if desired.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that we have provided a simple and durable construction of rail clamp, particularly for the specific use for which it is intended, as the clamp will firmly hold the rail to the tie and prevent it from turning over by the torsional strain exerted thereon by the car wheels as they are rounding a curve. I

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as-new is:

1. A rail clamp of the character described, comprising a pair of side clamping plates adapted to embrace a tie and provided in their upper edges with recesses adapted to re ceive the base flange of a rail and also provided at said edges with ears formed with extensions adapted to overhang one side of the base flange of the rail, said plates being also provided at their lower edges with hooked flanges adapted to take under the lower surface of a tie, a bolt extending from one ear to another and adapted to secure said plates together, a key plate adapted to be inserted between the bolt and the tie to have one end extended over the base flange of a rail, said key plate being provided with an aperture, and a key having a hooked upper end and adapted to be inserted through said aperture into the tie and have its upper end engage the bolt.

2. A rail clamp of the character described, comprising a pair of side clamping plates adapted to embrace a tie and provided in their upper edges with recesses adapted to re ceive the base flange of a rail and also provided at said edges with ears formed with extensions adapted to overhang one side of the base flange of the rail, a bolt extend ing from one ear to another and adapted to secure said plates together, a key plate adapted to be inserted between the bolt and the tie to have one end extended over the base flange of a rail, said key plate being provided with an aperture, and a key having a hooked upper end and adapted to be inserted through said aperture into the tie and having its upper end engage the bolt.

3. The combination with a rail and a tie upon which the rail is mounted, of a pair of side clamping plates embracing the tie and secured thereto, said plates being provided in their upper edges with recesses accommodating the base flange of the rail, and with ears formed with extensions taking over one side of said base flange, a bolt extending through said ears and adapted to fasten the clamping plates together, a key plate inserted underneath said bolt with one end taking over the adjacent side of the base flange, said key plate being provided with an aperture, and a key inserted through said aperture and driven into the tie, said key having an upper hooked end adapted to extend around over the said bolt.

4. The combination with a rail and a tie upon which the rail is mounted, of a pair ofside clamping plates embrac iug the tie and secured thereto, said plates being provided in their upper edges with recesses accommodating the base flange of the rail, and with ears formed with extensions taking over one side of said base flange, a bolt extending through said ears and adapted to fasten the clamping plates together, a key plate inserted underneath said bolt with one end taking over the adjacent side of the base flange, said key plate being provided with an aperture, and a key inserted through said aperture and. driven into the tie, said key having an upper hooked end adapted to extend around over the said bolt, the arrangement being such that the key plate Will be frictionally held between the bolt and the tie, as Well as by the connection of the hooked key with the bolt.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN C. CANTLEBERRY. WILLIAM J. EDWARDS.

[L. s.] [L. s.]

Witnesses J. R. MILLER,

G. G. MILLER. 

